I'm a high school junior planning to attend college in San Jose, California. As a disabled student, I'm curious if there are specific scholarships available for someone in my situation. Any suggestions on where to look?
Yes, there are numerous scholarships specifically geared toward supporting students with disabilities who aspire to go on to college. In San Jose, California, and surrounding areas, you'll find a wealth of resources, including several local and national scholarships for disabled students.
One compelling choice is the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which offers many separate scholarships for local students in the San Jose area, with multiple scholarships that are tailored towards students with disabilities.
On the national level, several organizations, such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Association of Health and Disability, provide funding opportunities specifically to students with disabilities.
You might also want to look into the 1800wheelchair.com scholarship program, which awards funds to two students each year who can creatively showcase the challenges they've overcome as students with disabilities.
Lastly, Appily is a handy tool to explore. This site includes a comprehensive scholarship search that can help you find scholarships specifically designed for students with disabilities.
Keep in mind that competition can be stiff for these scholarships, so it's essential to start the application process early and invest significant time in your essays and applications. Keep your grades up, stay involved with extracurriculars, and try to highlight how you've overcome obstacles related to your disability during your high school years.
Don't forget to explore all potential financial aid avenues, combine scholarships with federal financial aid, and confirm all the application deadlines you'll need to meet.
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